A host of big names line up in the two Grade 2s at Navan on Saturday and Racing Post tipster Robbie Wilders is on hand to serve up his two best bets.
Robbie Wilders' tips
2.05 Navan - Zanahiyr @ 6/4
2.40 Navan - Captain Guinness @ 2/1
2.05 Navan - Zanahiyr @ 6/4
The Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle is the first of the two Grade 2s on the card and ZANAHIYR, who is only six but seems to have been around for ages, stands out for Gordon Elliott.
He reportedly badly needed the run on his return in a 2m2f conditions hurdle at Punchestown last month, and did well to account for the race-fit Run For Oscar, who had previously contested the Group 1 Prix Du Cadran on Arc weekend.
Zanahiyr has generally been keeping top company over hurdles, including when he recorded an excellent third in the Champion Hurdle and then the Aintree Hurdle in the spring, and avoids carrying a penalty in this contest as he is without a win in 25 months.
That does a disservice to Zanahiyr, who is really consistent, and the intermediate 2m4f trip of the Lismullen is probably his optimum, even if the ground will be testing at Navan.
He will be getting weight from chief threats Sire Du Berlais (comes alive in the spring) and Home By The Lee, who will be a stone worse off with Zanahiyr from their meeting in this last year.
It is hard to be positive about the claims of Bob Olinger, who has failed to justify the hype over the last two seasons and has it all to prove, and this is a great opportunity for Zanahiyr to get one on the board. He is sure to strip fitter for his return and plenty of these will probably need the outing.
Robbie Wilders’ tip:
2.40 Navan - Captain Guinness @ 2/1
Next up is the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase and a Grade 1 penalty for Saint Roi makes life tough as he tackles open company for the first time.
Dysart Dynamo, the choice of Paul Townend, is well suited by the conditions of this contest given he gets 10lb from a horse of similar ability in his Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Saint Roi, but he does plenty wrong in his races and needs to learn to relax.
The bet instead has to be CAPTAIN GUINNESS, an uncomplicated, mega-consistent 160 chaser who can set your watch to. He gets 1lb from Saint Roi.
Captain Guinness landed this in good style first time out last season so clearly goes well fresh, and can boast three consecutive Grade 1 seconds after that.
Much like Zanahiyr, it feels surprising the Henry de Bromhead-trained chaser is only eight as he has been on the scene for a while, and he seems sure to go close under Rachael Blackmore in his bid to retain his Fortria crown. The rest need to improve to beat him and he might even progress a little himself this term.
Robbie Wilders’ tip:
Captain Guinness @ 2/1 - 1pt win
Robbie Wilders' tips
2.05 Navan - Zanahiyr @ 6/4
2.40 Navan - Captain Guinness @ 2/1
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
